Current Classification System

Pros :)	Cons :(
Protection of children is a priority	Applying guidelines is a subjective process
Provides information for parents	Impossible to predict harm/upset of sensitive viewers
Helps audiences make informed decisions	Implies age brackets key feature in determining response
Society needs some form of rules	Sees children as having only uninformed emotional responses to what they see
Cross section of examiners representing a diverse society	Suggests children are passive victims of media
Guidelines are relatively robust and clear	Films forced to take role of moral guidance
Examiners take work very seriously	Encourages parents to relinquish role and rely on 'nanny state' to control
Uses public research and current affairs when redefining guidelines every 4 years	Only 60% of households have children but all films are regulated
Enforces that some issues are negative and unacceptable in our society	Discourages production of challenging, alternative children's films
Provides protection for children with irresponsible parents	Realism in films is problematic and subjective
Enforced by governmental guidelines and laws	Internet is unsupervised and unregulated
Independent and has the films best interests - wants to promote the industry	Little or no evidence to support age ratings actually work
Local councils have the final say over the BBFC (e.g. Spiderman)	Scapegoat film industry - why not classify plays/books?
It means parents do not have to view a film prior to showing it to their child	No representation of children/teen age group in examiners
Employs the 'Just In Case' method to protect the vulnerable from possible reactions to a film	Audiences mostly unaware of info on BBFC website, including parents and those responsible
	Masks the real problem within society (perhaps of poor parenting) as classifications give people false ideas children are protected

Is film regulation sensible, useful to society, achieving its aim of protecting the vulnerable and upholding the law?

• Film regulation is sensible as it seeks to protect the vulnerable, however, it does mask the problem of why these children apparently do not know right from wrong and prevents helping the situation (e.g. the importance of helping parents socialise children)
• It is useful for society in that it maintains and upholds values and moralities within society, enforcing what is acceptable
• Within exhibition in cinemas i believe it is achieving its aim of protecting the vulnerable, however, because of Internet streaming and accessibility of DVDs/Blu-ray etc. at home most children have seen a film beyond their age bracket
• Because of classification, parents do not feel responsible to watch a film first and generally don't know of the BBFC website, so a child could see a film upsetting for that individual (e.g. a child of recently divorced parents may be more upset by a 12A with those themes than another)
• The guidelines are very successful in upholding the law as they follow what/what isn't illegal and maintain legal principles

Improving the system?

• Perhaps encourage information over classification. E.g. label a film 'horror' or 'bad language' so parents can prevent their child from seeing if they know they are particularly vulnerable
• Promote the BBFC website to show parents the vast amounts of info available to prevent children seeing unsuitable films (especially 12As) and then complaining to the councils/BBFC
• Increase teenage/child representation in the examiners or at least amount of consultations with them to improve sceptical views on the majority of children's maturity levels
• Encourage people to think carefully for themselves when seeing a film or letting an underage see it to put the power back into the responsible parent's hands over the film makers/industry

18 > R18

R18 allows:

• 'Sex works' - material seeking to sexually arose/stimulate
• Moderate, non-abusive inflictions of pain within consensual sexual activity
• Explicit sexual imagery

15 > 18

• 18 is no longer governed by guidelines on principle adults should be free to choose their own entertainment
• Still prevention of criminal offences, sexual violence and works seeking to sexually arouse

12A > 15

15 accepts:

• Drug taking without promoting misuse
• Strong threat/menace unless sadistic/sexualised
• Frequent use of strong language and infrequent of strongest
• Nudity in sexual context without strong detail
• Strong reference/portrayal to sexual behaviour without strong detail
• All themes
• Strong violence not dwelling on infliction, pain or injury

PG > 12A

12A accepts:

• Discriminatory language/behaviour with readily identifiable character
• Infrequent drug misuse
• Moderate physical/psychological threat
• Weapons if not easily accessible
• Infrequent strong language
• Sex references suitable for young teens
• Mature themes
• Sexual violence with contextual justification

U > PG

PG accepts:

• Themes can be more acceptable
• Sex/relationships can be joked about with discreet reference
• Violence/threat can be a little strong
• Horror can be scary but not prolonged
• Discrimination allowed with educational/historical context

R18

R18 (Restricted 18) - Only shown/supplied in specially licensed cinemas/sex shops and to adults over 18

Overview:

• Legally restricted classification primarily for explicit works of consenting sex/strong fetish material involving adults
• May not be supplied by mail order
• Guidelines applied regardless of sexual orientation

Unacceptable content:

• Material in breach of criminal law
• Material judged as obscene under Obscene Publications Act (1959)
• Encouraging material (including dialogue) of sexually abusive activity (e.g. paedophilia, incest, rape) include adult role-play as non-adult
• Non-consensual (even simulated) sexual activity
• Physical constraints preventing indication of withdrawal of consent
• Infliction of pain or lasting physical harm (real/simulated) - allowance made for moderate consensual activity
• Penetration by object associated with violence/likely to cause physical harm
• Sexual threats, humiliation or abuse outside of consensual role playing game
• Strong physical/verbal abuse even if consensual

18

18 - Suitable only for adults

Overview:

• No-one younger than 18 may see in cinema or rent/buy video work
• In line with public consultation and Human Rights Act (1998) as the BBFC will not normally override principle adults free to choose their entertainment

Exceptions:

• Material in breach of criminal law or made through commission of criminal offence
• Appears to risk harm to individuals/society through their behaviour
• Explicit imagery of sexual activity contextually unjustified (if considered a sex work maybe R18)
• Sex material allowed when seeking to inform/educate (e.g. in maters of sexuality, safer sex/health)

15

15 - Suitable for 15 years and over

Overview:

• No one younger than 15 may seethe film in the cinema
• No one younger than 15 may buy/rent the video work

Issues:

Discrimination	No endorsement of discriminatory language/behaviour
Drugs	May be shown without encouragement of misuse. Misuse of accessible dangerous substances (e.g. aerosols/solvents) unlikely to be accepted
Horror	Threat/menace permitted unless sadistic/sexualised
Imitable behaviour	No dwelling/glamorisation of accessible weapons/dangerous behaviour (e.g. hanging, suicide, self harm)
Language	Frequent strong language permitted and strongest (e.g. cunt) if justified in context and not repetitive/aggressive
Nudity	Allowed in sexual context without strong detail
Sex	Behaviour/language allowed with no strong detail. Primary purpose of sexual arousal likely to be unacceptable
Theme	No prohibition if age appropriate
Violence	May be strong with no dwelling on infliction/pain/injury. Strong sadistic/sexualised violence unacceptable. Sexual violence allowed when discreet and with strong contextual justification

12A/12

12A/12 - Suitable for 12 years and over

Overview:

• Works may upset children under 12
• May contain material which many parents will find unsuitable for under 12s
• 12A only for cinema and 12 for video works

Issues:

Discrimination	Language/behaviour mustn't be endorsed. Aggressive/discriminatory unacceptable unless clearly condemned
Drugs	Infrequent misuse with no glamorisation or instructional detail
Horror	Infrequent, sustained and moderate physical/psychological threat permitted
Imitable behaviour	Dangerous behaviour (e.g. hanging, suicide, self harm) should not dwell or appear pain/harm free. Easily accessible weapons not to be glamorised
Language	Infrequent strong language (e.g. 'fuck')
Nudity	Sexual context allowed if brief/discreet
Sex	Brief/discreet with no frequent crude reference
Theme	Mature themes acceptable but suitable for young teens
Violence	No dwelling on detail/injuries/blood unless contextually just. Sexual violence only implied with strong contextual justification

PG

PG (Parental Guidance) - General viewing but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children

Overview:

• Unaccompanied children of any age may watch
• Should not disturb a child aged around 8 or older
• Parents advised to consider whether content may upset younger/more sensitive children

Issues:

Discrimination	Language/behaviour unlikely to be acceptable unless educational/historical context
Drugs	Illegal drugs/misuse must be innocuous or carry anti-drug message
Horror	Frightening sequences can't be prolonged/intense (fantasy setting may mitigate)
Imitable behaviour	No detail of potentially dangerous behaviour which could be copied. No glamourisation of realistic/accessible weapons
Language	Mild bad language (e.g. ‘shit’ or ‘son of a bitch’) but the context and delivery are always important.
Nudity	Natural nudity, no sexual context
Sex	Activity/references may be implied but discreet/infrequent
Theme	More serious issues (e.g. domestic violence) should condone unacceptable behaviour
Violence	Moderate without detail violence thats justified in context (e.g. history, comedy, fantasy)

U

U (Universal) - Suitable for all.

Overview:

• Should be suitable for audiences aged 4 and over
• Set within positive moral framework
• Offers reassuring counterbalances to any violence, threat or horror
• Could say in consumer advice when film particularly suitable for pre-school child to view alone

Issues:

Discrimination	No discrimatory language unless clearly disapproved of
Drugs	No reference to illegal drugs/misuse unless infrequent or a clear anti-drug educational message
Horror	Scary sequences should be mild, breif and unlikely to cause anxiety
Imitable behaviour	No potentially dangerous behaviour that young children are likely to copy or emphasis on realistic/easily accessible weapons
Language	Infrequent use of mild bad language (eg ‘damn’ and ‘hell’). Occasionally, bad language such as ‘bloody’ or ‘bugger’ may be included, where justified by the context.
Nudity	Occasional natural nudity with no sexual context
Sex	Mild sexual reference (e.g. 'making love') or behaviour (e.g. kissing)
Theme	Problematic themes must have sensitive treatment
Violence	Occasional mild violence/threat/menace only

Overview of BBFC Guidelines

The 13 issues are as follows:

1. Discrimination
2. Drugs
3. Horror
4. Imitable behaviour
5. Criminal behaviour
6. Weapons
7. Language
8. Nudity
9. Sexual references
10. Sex
11. Theme
12. Violence
13 Sexualised violence

*4.5.6 are combined under imitable behaviour
*12.13 are combined under violence

Video Games

Video games classified under same categories/guidelines as 'linear' works

Considerations:

• Ability of a player complicit in behaviour involving sex, drugs, violence
• Level of detail shown
• Frequency is difficult to quantity due to repetition of levels

However there is limited research into whether interactivity increases potential harm so BBFC take a more cautious approach

Trailers/Advertisements

Audience choose to see full length feature based on given classification of trailer

• Audiences have no choice over tone/content of trailers shown before a film
• Borderline material is less likely to be justified on grounds of context
• Advertisements may be more strongly restrictive (e.g. strong language not allowed below 15)
• Advertisements for alcohol allowed at any category (unless associated with sexual prowess/glamorous lifestyles)
• Advertisements for tobacco are prohibited by law
• Charitable advertisements generally have less restrictive categories

Photo/Pattern/Motion sickness/Low frequency sound sensitivites

Protection against viewers who are sensitive against flashing/flickering light causing seizures/sickness

• Film maker responsible for ensuring appropriate warnings are given
• Not normally taken into account in the BBFC's classification

Titles

Changes required to a title of a film concerning:

• Inciting hatred on the grounds of race, religion or sexual orientation
• Incites criminal behaviour
• Encourages an interest in abusive/illegal sexual activity

Distributor is advised to consider effects of displaying such titles in public places

• Perhaps obscure certain works
• Advice not given to R18 works

Violence

Always a feature of entertainment for children and adults, classification looks at the degree and nature of violence

More restrictive features:

• Violence as normal solution to problem




Despite breaching many violent regulations, Casino Royale rated 12A


• Heroes who inflict pain/injury
• Callousness towards victims
• Encouragement of aggressive attitudes
• Characters taking pleasure in pain/humiliation
• Sexualised/glorified/glamorised violence may even be cut
• Strict policy on sexual violence/rape is applied (eroticised/endorsed may be cut) - more likely with video films due to potential of scene replaying out of context
• Any association of sex with non-consentual restraint, pain or humiliation may be cut



Theme

Account for the treatment of the overall theme, espicially the sensitivity of its presentation

• Problematic themes (e.g. drug abuse, sexual violence, paedophilia) unlikely to be appropriate at junior levels
• In principle, no reason why a theme, however difficult, could not recieve a 15/18 rating

Sex

Portrayal of sexual activity ranges from kissing and verbal references (e.g. making love) to detail of real sex

R18 films only shown in specially licensed cinemas

• Sex works (primary purpose is to create sexual arousal/stimulation) are only likely to be passed in adult categories
• Clear images of real sex/strong fetish material, explicit animated images etc. are likely to be confined to R18
• Guidelines the same regardless of sexual orientation

Nudity

• Natural nudity (no sexual context) acceptable in all classification levels (not usually occuring in U category)
• Sexual context recieves restrictive classification
• Strong detail only passed in adult categories

Language

Offense caused by bad language/rude gestures with, e.g. sexual/religious/racial associations

• Extent of offense varies according to age, race, gender, background
• Affected by beliefs/expectations of work and context
• Impossible to set out a comprehensive list of words/gestures which are acceptable in each age category
• Use public consultation to find levels of acceptability

Imitable Behaviour

Detailed portrayal of criminal/violent techniques and glamorisation of easily accessible weapons (e.g. knives)

In Disney's Tangled, attack with easily accessible frying pan



• Anti-social behaviour (e.g. bullying) likely to receive more restrictive ratings
• Active promote of illegal behaviour will, on the whole, be cut/rejected
• Potentially dangerous behaviour (e.g. hanging, self-harm, suicide) which children can copy will need restrictive classification



Horror

The use of frightening elements which may scare or unsettle and audience.

Rated 12A despite prolonged themes of horror



Traditional feature of film making/story telling, but there are factors to consider:

• For younger audiences: frequency, length and detail of scary scenes
• Horror effects (e.g. music/sound)
• Swift and reassuring outcome
• Protecting the young and vulnerable from too intense and experience



Drugs

No work as a whole may promote the misuse of drugs and glamorisation of drug misuse is likely to be cut

Factors to consider:

• Works that show drug misuse while emphasising the dangers
• Target Audience of film - extensive drug misuse in child's film

Discrimination

Potentially offensive content relating to race, gender, religion, disability, sexuality etc.

BBFC accounts for:

• Strength/impact of its inclusion
• Context
• Discriminatory language/behaviour being explicitly criticised
• Work as a whole seeking to educate/challenge such attitudes
• Work being obviously outdated

Overarching Factors

Certain factors override decisions when classifying films. These are particularly important when a work lies on the borderline between two categories.

Context:

• Refers to the central issue of the film (sex, language, violence etc.)
• Account for the expectations of the general public as well as the target audience
• Genre (e.g. realistic/contemporary approach may intensify effect, fantasy may soften it)
• The manner of presentation (e.g. aggressive vs. comic language)
• Intentions of film maker (e.g. educational)
• Original production dates (e.g. outdated attitudes may be treated more leniantly in an obviously outdated work)
• Special merits of the work

Tone and Impact:

• More restrictive classification given if the tone is dark/unsettling
• In junior categories important to consider degree of fantasy/connection with real world
• Presentation of desparing view on world/moral perspectives

Release Format:

• Stricter on video works over film - increased possibility of under-age viewing

Legal Considerations

Human Rights Act (1998)	Respect for private and family life Permits restrictions on freedom of expression for the necessities of democracy (e.g. protection of reputations, prevention of disorder/crime)
Licensing Act (2003)	Cinemas require a license from the local authority Condition included to restrict films from children in accordance with recommendations of the BBFC or licensing authority Aim to achieve public safety via prevention of crime/disorder/public nuisance and protect children from harm
Video Recordings Act (1984)	Video works which are capable of being stored electronically (disc, tape etc.) must be classified by the BBFC Regard to the likeliness of the works being viewed at home and the potential harm from that Works including: criminal behaviour, illegal drugs, violent/horrific behaviour or incident and human sexual activity
Obscene Publications Act (1959 & 1964)	Illegal to publish an 'obscene' work Obscene = tendencies to deprave/corrupt those likely to see it Publication is justified as publicly goods on the ground of interests and learning in science,art, literature and general concern
Criminal Justice and Immigration Act (2008)	Illegal to be in possession of extreme pornographic imagery Offensive imagery in an explicit and realistic way
Protection of Children Act (1978)	Illegal to make, distribute, show or possess indecent (pseudo)photographs of a child Child = someone under 18
Public Order Act (1986)	Illegal to make, distribute, or show images which are threatening, abusive or insulting with intention to stir racial/sexual orientation/religious hatred
Cinematography Films Act (1937)	Illegal to show scenes that involve actual cruelty to animals Animals = vertebrates that are domesticated or under human control
Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Act (2002)	Illegal to publish a tobacco advertisement

General Principles

2 key guiding principles:

• Works should be allowed to reach the widest audience that is appropriate for their theme and treatment
• Adults should, as far as possible, be free to choose what they see, provided that it remains within the law and is not potentially harmful

3 main qualifications:

• Whether the material is in conflict with the law or has been created via commission of criminality
• If it may cause harm at the category concerned - result of viewer behaviour, moral harm (e.g. desensitization/eroding sense of moral responsibility
• The availability of the material is clearly unacceptable to broad public opinion beyond age group concerned

Who are the BBFC?

 

• The BBFC are the British Board of Film Classification
• Independent, non-governmental organisation
• Funded by the fees it charges those who submit their films/video works for classification
• Responsibility of what the guidelines are rest with the BBFC - subject to normal considerations or fairness and reasonableness
• Provide interpretation of guidelines on request
• Parents are advised to consider classification/consumer advice before allowing a child to view a work

Classification categories:

• Carry out work through classification categories in order to protect children from harm
• The BBFC may cut/reject a work deemed unacceptable in any category in the 'Intervention' section of the guidelines
• There is a need to keep criteria clear under the Human Rights Act (1998)
• Categories are a product of public consultation with children and adults, research and the many years worth of accumulated experience at the BBFC
• Regard change in public taste/attitudes/concerns, changes in law, new evidence from research/expert resources
• Categories are reviewed periodically (around every 5 years)
• Categories NOT a legal document - they cannot be a comprehensive account of everything and should be interpreted in spirit and letter

Their work includes:

• Films on behalf of local authorities who license cinemas under the Licensing Act (2003)
• Video recordings (DVD, VHS, Blu-ray etc.) under the Video Recordings Act (1984)
• Distribution of video works (e.g. downloading/streaming on Internet) under a voluntary scheme called BBFC.online
• Will not classify material believed to be in breach of criminal law

Introduction to Film Classification

Reflections on the first lessons:

• Introduction to the key institutions involved in the film classification process (BBFC, CBBFC, government and audience)

Particular points of interest:

• The level to which the film makers are held 'responsible' for teaching the young in society right from wrong
• The focal concerns of the censorship organisations (e.g. in Britain being violence and in U.S. being swearing)
• Clauses which can be used to lower rating to widen the potential market of a film (e.g. using prosthetics in scenes of a sexual nature)